Routledge Speech-to-Text Interpreting: User-Centred Communication Support for Equal Access (Translation Practices Explained)

Speech-to-Text Interpreting: User-Centred Communication Support for Equal Access explores speech-to-text interpreting (STTI), providing essential insights for practitioners, trainers, and decision-makers ensuring equitable communication access for deaf and hard-of-hearing communities. Grounded in Translation & Interpreting Studies, the book demonstrates user-centred STTI implementation across typical interpreting settings. Drawing on video recordings, comparative text analysis, and interviews with users and over 30 interpreters, it provides practical assessment tools considering user expectations and multimodal communication contexts. The book addresses critical professional challenges from stress management to ethical dilemmas, outlining essential competences for user-centred service delivery. Each chapter features enriching activities and problem-solving exercises, with additional resources. Particularly timely amid advancing AI transcription technology, the book articulates human STTI's continued value through user support, individualized orientation, trust-building, and data security. A global survey of STTI service provision further informs the analysis. Beyond equipping interpreters with theoretical and practical tools, the book supports training development and guides policymakers in establishing communication support guidelines. The text highlights DHH advocacy while advancing STTI understanding as a profession and an academic discipline. An essential text for students, teachers and researchers working in STTI , this is also a valuable resource for public institutions and private individuals employing STT interpreters.